Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004) was born in Paris in 1919. In 1945, he enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris while apprenticing at Maurice de Brianchon’s studio. During this time, he began to adopt Fauvism’s bright use of colors, the serene and dream-like imagery of Les Nabis, also combined the style of École de Paris and Minimalism which globally developed from 1960 to 1970. In Cathelin’s still lifes, he employs many broad swathes of color to convey a semi-abstract scene. Cathelin is adept at capturing the essence of form, a piece of scenery, or a bouquet of flowers; this is a profound truth that extends beyond reality: the discovery of the essence of things through their surface enables us to attain a sphere of life of perfect harmony. This work is vastly elegant, deeply poetic, and perfectly embodies the artist's love for natural sceneries. In 1947, he began teaching at École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. In 1995, he was elected to the French Légion d’Honneur by the President of the Republic. This was his highest honor in life. In 1997, a largescale retrospective exhibition was dedicated to him at the Valence Museum, France. In 2000, a large-scale retrospective exhibition was held in the Shanghai Art Museum (SAM), China. Even after the artist’s passing in 2004, his work is still frequently exhibited around the world.